Introduction

The advent of light steel frame building in South Africa is
one of the most exciting developments in recent times in the
steel and building industries. While this method of building
has been used in the US, Europe and Australia for decades, it
was only recently introduced to our shores. It offers quality,
cost efficiency and speed of erection for low-rise residential
and non-residential buildings.

What is Light Steel Frame Building ?

Light steel frame building consists of structural wall
frames and roof trusses, manufactured from cold-formed
light gauge galvanised steel sections. Exterior cladding
can consist of a single skin brick wall or fibre cement board,
fixed to the wall frames. Services – electricity and plumbing –
are installed in the wall cavity created by the light steel frames,
as is the insulation material. Gypsum board, fixed to the light steel
frame, is typically used for internal wall cladding and ceilings.

A division of the
Southern Africa Institute of Steel Constructionreg no. 1956/001307/08